On August 4, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received pilgrims from the Armenian community of Highpoint in the Boston area, part of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. They were accompanied by their spiritual pastor, Reverend Father Vart Gyozalyan.
In his address, His Holiness reflected on the challenges facing Armenia and expressed confidence that “the Armenian people, through unity and strong faith, will overcome the current difficulties and trials.”
Blessing the pilgrims, the Catholicos stressed that the diaspora’s bond with the homeland and the Mother See highlights their commitment and devotion to national and spiritual values. He also underscored the vital role of clergy serving in the diaspora in preserving these ties.
At the conclusion of the meeting, he urged the pilgrims to maintain their national identity and to foster love and devotion toward the homeland and the Armenian Church.
During a recent press conference, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, when asked how he plans to "liberate the Catholicosate," responded: “it will be liberated the same way Armenia was freed from Serzh Sargsyan in 2018.” He later called for preparations for a “Great Spiritual Gathering in Etchmiadzin’s central square.” On Facebook, Pashinyan laid out his vision for changes at the Mother See, including removing the Catholicos, appointing a morally upright priest as a temporary leader who cannot be a candidate for the throne, and delaying new Catholicos elections until the Church Canon is revised.
